The interior of the home had really great bones. It was instantly updated with a few coats of wall paint (Ben Moore’s Gray Husky) and a nice white on the trim, baseboards, and cove ceilings (Custom White to match Ikea’s Adel Cabinets).

Before:

For the first few years we worked with a few pieces from our previous home, before finally committing to a complete makeover. Which brings us here!

PROGRESS:

Most of the pieces in this room are fairly neutral, but we brought in a bright aqua sofa that totally steals the show! A few hints of yellow and pink throughout add just enough energy. We recovered a few vintage foot stools with new blankets, and gave a Craigslist side table a new look with paint and faux marble contact paper. More details and sources for the items in this room can be found in this post.

This space started off as a typical dining room, not many (if any) changes had been made since the home was built. We were really craving a space that felt comfortable and cozy to enjoy dinners as a family.

There’s still some work to be done in here, but it’s quite a bit more completed than most rooms. We’re planning to frame out the doorway to the addition (after the addition is completed) and replace the rug eventually.

BEDROOM HALLWAY:

This hallway is just off the dining room and leads to three bedrooms and the guest/kid’s bathroom. We had really great bones to begin with in this space, but we made a few minor upgrades to take it to the next level!

Before:

Compared to a lot of other similar ranch homes in our area, this hallway was pretty roomy, with a wider than usual width. It had gorgeous cove ceilings with a nice, slim trim piece but it just needed a few quick fixes!

We painted the walls with Ben Moore’s Hale Navy, replaced the flooring with a white hex tiles, installed a new bathtub and toilet, made custom burlap art, and my dad DIYed a bath vanity that I later stenciled.

Progress:

We also replaced the existing light fixtures, DIYed a wooden mirror, installed a white subway tile bath surround, and added horizontal planking to the walls.

The small linen closet also received a quick refresh, by removing the closet doors and adding molding to the once basic shelves.

We’ve since moved on to phase two of this space, and Lizzy has officially moved in to share the room. With a second bed and double the clothes and toys, we came up with a fun new plan and the girls, being a bit older now, really took the lead this time!

A once cramped and undervalued corner is now a floor to ceiling bookcase, and a plank ceiling is in the works! We still have a ways to go in here, like installing crown molding, trimming out the windows, bringing in a ceiling fan, and hanging some art, but it’s coming right along!

RYAN’S NURSERY:

Another blank slate- we replaced the flooring, baseboards, removed the dated, bi-fold closet doors. What was originally a nursery for Lizzy, quickly transformed into a nursery for baby brother Ryan.

We brought in a Craigslist dresser (with a fresh coat of paint and a fun overlay on the top drawers), a thrifted teal plycraft chair, and Zoey’s original crib. We made a leather pennant banner, a trio of dreamcatchers, and several other wall art pieces.

This closet received the same customization as the girls’ room, packed full of toy and clothes storage, and we DIY’ed an industrial bookcase for even more storage!

70 thoughts on “OUR CURRENT 1950’S RANCH HOUSE”

I found your home off of younghouselove’s House Crashing. I just wanted to stop in and tell you how beautiful your home is and let you know that I’m now a follower!! I’ll just say that your whole house is lovely; I especially enjoyed your kitchen remodel and the bath vanity that your dad made!

Your house is amazing! We’ve been looking online for ideas to renovate a house we’re buying and finding your site has been inspirational. We absolutely LOVE your taste in pretty much everything. I will certainly be following this blog closely to see all your new home updates! In the meantime, can I ask where your fabulous dining room table came from? Was that a DIY project?
Thanks again for this site. It is great!

Your house is beautiful! You’ve given me a lot of ideas for our first home that we just moved into this month! Just wondering, did you paint your windows black or were they already like that? I really love the look, but all my windows are white.

You are quite the inspiration. I just recently subscribed to your blog, as I live in 1950s ranch house in the valley, just north of Los Angeles. My husband & I have never stopped working on our house since we purchased it 13 years ago! We tore up all the carpet, refinished the wood floors and repainted before we even moved in. I love your kitchen. Ours is a much smaller galley, but we took it down to the studs, too.It took about 6 weeks to redo and we lived in the house during the reno – and fought like cats & dogs! I can’t imagine not having a kitchen with small children in the family. You are brave!

Thanks so much, Rita! Yes, renovating definitely takes a toll on everyone. Luckily, we were able to live with in-laws while most of the early remodeling took place. No kitchen + two little ones, might have just pushed us all over the edge, haha.

I LOVE the front door (and the kitchen and the pallet wall and…) I would love to paint my front door which sits at the end of a boring hallway. My husbands too worried about having to repaint it when we (eventually) move though. But that really adds a nice visual interest to the room!

I just stumbled upon your blog via iheartorganizing, and I’m AMAZED!! The transformations are phenomenal! I can already tell I’m going to be spending waaay too much time getting all kinds of home improvement ideas from you. Thanks for the inspiration! (though my husband may not be quite as enthused) 😉

oh wow, I found you from I heart organizing, and now I’m following you too! I literally spend 2 hours today playing on ikea’s kitchen planner using the same sink, cabinets, handles and appliances as you. I was even eyeing the tollix stools too! I have a similar layout as your old kitchen and just couldnt make it work. Now you’ve inspired me to blow out the walls for an open concept to make it all fit great.

I came over from I Heart Organizing and I’m so glad I did! Beautiful home… and in my area!! I’m around cincinnati too My family is currently looking for a new home so I’ll hopefully take on some renovating myself!

SO enjoying your blog! (found it through iheartorganizing). LOVE your front door. We have a standard, basic door but it needs to be replaced and I have always loved doors like this. Does it ever bother you that you don’t have a storm door so you could open the door to let more light in in the spring/summer? just curious.

Honestly, it does bother me a little bit not having a storm door. I’m just a sucker for natural light and a cool breeze. On the flip side, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve cursed at storm doors trying to hold it open while juggling kids, grocery, bag, etc. Haha. We’ll have to see which force is stronger this spring

Love your whole house design!! It really is similar to mine and my husbands taste! I have a question, is your couch from IKEA? My husband and I are on the lookout for a new couch and I really like that one. If it is from IKEA, do you like it? How has it held up for you?

Yep! It’s the Kivik sofa + chaise from Ikea. We love it, going on 3ish years with a TON of use. It’s still holding up really well, we’ve just made sure to rotate the cushions often. Otherwise, it can start to look a little sad. Hope that helps!

The chevron pillows were from an Etsy seller a few years ago. I’m sure a simple search there will turn up countless similar versions. And the yellow pillows are from Pottery Barn, again, several years ago. Hope that helps!

I see that you placed your couch at an angle that could really work in my own home. Question about it – does it make the room feel smaller, or hinder the walking space at all? I might just try this layout!

Well, our entire living room is temporary (just waiting to have a living space in the new addition) but it works for now. We wouldn’t keep the furniture this way for an extended period of time, because yes, the walking space is a little tight in some areas.. and I’m not very found on seeing the back of the couch when you first enter the home. But like I said, it gets the job done for now. I think it really just depends on your specific space and furniture. Hope that helps!

I stumbled upon your blog looking for DIY inspiration (even though I have never DIY’ed anything lol) and I am just blown away by all the before and after pics. You are incredibly talented! My family and I just bought our first “big kid house” and I am having a really hard time figuring out how to decorate. Was wondering if you can share how you approach furnishing/decorating a room?

I am so happy to find your blog as we just purchased the worst house in the best neighborhood as they say you should. It happens to be a 1951 cape and we have decided to bring back its 50’s charm. Your blog pics have provided lots of ideas. We are leaving a 1920 stone four square that is quite ecclectic and wanted a totally different look. The renovation start on July 31st. Thanks for sharing!

I absolutely love your sectional couch – where is it from? I’ve been looking for one similar to that and have been unsuccessful in my hunt.
and your house is adorable – I love the reclaimed wood ceiling on the front porch along with the buckets of flowers.

Ohhh, tricky question. I guess we’re officially east siders now, but my entire family is west siders.. although, some have made their way to the east and KY.. We’re kind of all over the place, within a 20 mi radius haha

Look at that kitchen!! The before and after shot is an amazing transformation! I will be taking some tips from you! I found this giveaway today, I couldn’t believe the prize! It would sure add some color to my kitchen! Sarabella Giveaway

Hi, I love your makeovers! They’re so inspiring. Can you tell me where the yellow pillows in your living room are from? Were those DIY or purchased? I’m looking for a solid mustard cover for my pillows.

Love your kitchen!! Can you tell me are white kitchens high maintenance? I really want to update my kitchen, but alot of people are telling me that they are high maintenance. But I love how they look!!! Thanks.

just took the “house tour” and I’m curious if now that you’re finding your true style, you have any regrets about the more permanent design choices? two stand-outs for me are the front door (did you keep it tucked away somewhere?) and the floors. I assume they were beyond repair if you replaced them. just loved some of the vintage details the home came with. I’m excited to see where your new style takes you and plan to follow you as you figure it out!

i really love your home.. I’m from Indonesia, and about to open a little resto with my friend. i really look after your blog for ideas..
keep posting please, we really love it n love the way you describe the steps..
tq

I loooove your kitchen. I pinned every photo of it because it’s very similar to our layout and we are looking to do soapstone countertops, a white subway tile backsplash, and yellow accessories! (Great minds and all….) How is your soapstone holding up? Do you like it? Does it scrach easily? Thanks so much!

Wow, absolutely love your remodeling. You and your husband are so talented and creative. I am now your follower. We just bought a 70s house and need to remodel it inside out as well. But we are not handy and talented as you are and had to hire a architect for it.

ELSEWHERE

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